Before the Storm cover

Before the Storm

Darude · 2000

78 min · 15 tracks · house music

An energetic blend of hard trance and house, pulsating with relentless beats and anthemic synth melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Sandstorm — This track propelled Darude into international fame with its iconic melody and driving rhythm, becoming a staple in both clubs and sports events worldwide.
  • →
    Feel the Beat — With its euphoric buildup and catchy hooks, this track exemplifies the energetic spirit of the album and showcases Darude's knack for creating dancefloor anthems.
  • →
    Out of Control — Featuring captivating vocal samples and a dynamic structure, this track showcases Darude’s ability to blend melodic elements with harder beats.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic tracks typical of early 2000s trance but lacks depth for repeated listens.

What we noticed

  • The first five tracks maintain a high-energy tempo, with driving beats and prominent synth lines that create an anthemic feel.
  • Tracks like 'Calm Before the Storm' introduce a brief interlude with softer elements before returning to the energetic sound.
  • The album features multiple remixes of 'Sandstorm' and other tracks, which alters the original compositions while retaining core elements.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic ebb and flow
  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • energizing dance floor vibes
  • pulsating rhythmic intensity

Where this album fits

Career context
Before the Storm is Darude's debut album, released in early 2000, shortly after his breakout single 'Sandstorm' became a global club anthem. This album set the stage for Darude as a key figure in the trance music scene, establishing his signature sound that would influence electronic dance music for years to come.
Stylistic neighbors
Paul van Dyk· Armin van Buuren· Above & Beyond

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Out of Control

    The verses shift from energetic instrumentals to moments where rhythmic vocal samples create an immersive atmosphere.

    This layering technique deepens the listener's engagement, contrasting the frenetic beats with brief pockets of vocal clarity that elevate the overall energy.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Sandstorm 3:45
  • 2 Burning 7:11
  • 3 Feel the Beat 4:18
  • 4 Out of Control 5:02
  • 5 Touch Me Feel Me 6:14
  • 6 Calm Before the Storm 4:53
  • 7 Let the Music Take Control 5:45
  • 8 Drums of New York 6:04
  • 9 The Flow 3:53
  • 10 Sandstorm (JS16 remix) 7:22
  • 11 Sandstorm (Superchumbo Sandy Storm remix) 4:17
  • 12 Sandstorm (Darude vs. Orgy Astro American remix) 4:36
  • 13 Feel the Beat (JS16 Dark mix) 7:06
  • 14 Out of Control (vocal mix) 3:36
  • 15 Out of Control (Spectro remix) 4:18

What to play next

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Ignition
Full Darude discography Artists like Darude
hard trance trance

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata